179: From Blogger to Subscription Box Owner with 1200 Subscribers in Less Than a Year

Launch Your Box Podcast with Sarah Williams | Start, Launch, and Grow Your Subscription Box

On this episode of the Launch Your Box podcast, meet Jenny Finke of Love Me Gluten Free. Jenny didn’t just pivot from blogging to launching her subscription box—she sold out her first 125 boxes in just two hours and now has over 1,200 subscribers in less than a year!

Learning and Sharing All Things Gluten-Free

Jenny launched a blog where she shared recipes, stories, products, advice, and more. She ran the blog for over 10 years and had several million readers. Jenny wrote a book and amassed a sizable social media following. Her newsletter went out weekly to more than 24,000 readers. She made income through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.

In 2023, everything changed. The algorithm that was so helpful in the past, directing people to Jenny’s content who needed it, changed. Many successful bloggers were throwing in the towel and returning to corporate jobs. Jenny knew she needed a new way to serve her community and save her business.

Starting and Launching a Gluten-Free Subscription Box

Jenny saw a need. Her audience wanted a subscription box but needed to know they could trust the safety of the items. And Jenny knew she could deliver.

Jenny already had an audience, but needed to learn how to start and manage a subscription box business. She needed to build relationships with brands who would supply items for her box.

Jenny joined Launch Your Box and jumped right in. She set a 90 day plan to launch her box with a launch date in April 2024.

Selling Out - and Gaining 125 Subscribers - in Two Hours

Jenny crunched the numbers and decided to make up 125 boxes to offer during her subscription box launch. She sold all 125 in less than two hours! Jenny went back to her vendors and asked if they had 25 more of the items in the box. They did and she offered the additional 25 boxes to her audience. All were gone that first day. 150 subscribers in one day.

An incredible result for a first launch.

Jenny’s Love Me Gluten Free subscription box has continued to grow, adding subscribers every month. For the first several months, fulfillment took place in Jenny’s basement. That meant capping growth at 300 subscribers until they found a warehouse space.

Jenny moved her business into the warehouse space which allowed her to add more subscribers. Nine months after launching they have 1200 subscribers and are already outgrowing this new space.

Pivoting from Blogger to Subscription Box Owner

Jenny’s business didn’t just survive the changes to Google’s algorithm. It evolved and is thriving. All because Jenny wasn’t afraid to pivot. She knew she wanted to stay in the gluten-free industry. She knew she wanted to continue to serve her loyal audience. They needed her expertise. They trusted her. And now she provides them with products they can trust.

Jenny’s advice for other bloggers who are struggling is to pivot and look to diversify their revenue streams. She believes many could benefit from starting a subscription box - just like she did. A subscription box is another way to serve an audience you’ve spent so much time nurturing, growing, and serving.

Join me on this episode to hear Jenny’s inspiring journey, how she solved a problem her audience desperately needed a solution to, and her advice for anyone needing to pivot in their business. Don’t miss it!

Find and follow Jenny:

• Love Me Gluten Free on Facebook
• Love Me Gluten Free on Instagram
• Love Me Gluten Free Website

Join me in all the places:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Launch Your Box with Sarah Website

Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!